If there’s one thing I thought I’d never use, it’s a muzzle. On my cat.

But PJ hates having his nails clipped with a passion equal to how much vampires hate the sunlight. It’s that bad. And it’s something that’s been present from the very beginning; of the four kittens, he was the only one to violently scream while having his nails clipped.

We’ve tried everything. Talking to him softly only made him more anxious. Not talking at all wasn’t much better. Treats couldn’t coax him and scruffing his neck turned him into a raging beast. Clipping his nails became a four person job and transformed my normally sweet and affectionate boy into a hell cat.

Last week, I barely managed to finish one foot before he not-so-subtly attempted to take my nose off. That was it- all other options exhausted, it was time for Plan Z.

I bought a muzzle.

We waited until he was sleeping and too groggy to put up an immediate fight. Mom held him, I strapped the muzzle on, and clipped his nails. It was all over in less than a minute. He didn’t make a peep.

In fact once we took the muzzle off, he stretched, gave us a slow blink, and sauntered away.

And to think I actually felt guilty.

Miko and Stephanie.

They have never been apart for more than a day in their entire lives. And they are so very different, that it’s hard to believe they came from the same litter. Stephanie is tiny, demanding and loud. She ‘talks’ constantly. She hates being held.

Miko is large and incredibly docile. We call her our Bhudda Baby. She rarely makes noise. She loves to be cradled in our arms.

Miko is always first to eat. Stephanie eats last.

Miko can be timid. Stephanie rushes into every situation.

They like to snuggle with their mom and pick on their brother. They love and annoy each other as only sisters can. And I’m so happy that they’re my girls.